Some of the Cronulla players accused of taking performance-enhancing drugs in 2011 could escape with a ban of as little as four weeks during the off season.

Past and present players are expected to be called to a meeting with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the NRL this week where they will be offered a range of sanctions, some receiving a ban of one month and others six months.

Wade Graham is one of the players who could be affected. Photo: Getty Images

It is understood the meeting will be on Wednesday, with the authority’s chief executive Ben McDevitt anxious for it to be resolved before the end of the season so players given six-month bans can miss only one month of the 2015 season.

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There are 10 players from the 2011 squad still playing in the NRL who may be affected: Sharks quartet Paul Gallen, Wade Graham, Anthony Tupou and Nathan Gardner, Gold Coast’s Luke Douglas and Albert Kelly, Newcastle’s Kade Snowden and Jeremy Smith, Warriors forward Jayson Bukuya and North Queensland back Matthew Wright.

Although the World Anti-Doping Agency code allows for a maximum 75 per cent discount on the standard two-year punishment for players who co-operate with ASADA, there is provision for admonishment, or a one-month sanction, for those found to have taken unapproved prescribed, rather than prohibited, substances.

Albert Kelly, now of the Gold Coast Titans. Photo: Getty Images

ASADA’s move comes as International Olympic Committee executive member John Coates warned that the world body might intercede in the AFL/NRL drugs scandal, following revelations in the Federal Court last week of the politicisation of the national anti-doping body.

The same concerns have senior federal government ministers considering either a judicial or Senate inquiry into ASADA.

Mr Coates, who is also president of the Australian Olympic Committee and a pioneer of anti-doping legislation, warned that the Federal Court case would have attracted the attention of the world body.

Anthony Tupou. Photo: Getty Images

A three-day Federal Court hearing in Melbourne, presided over by Justice John Middleton, learnt how the former sports minister, Senator Kate Lundy, sought favourable outcomes for the AFL during ASADA’s 2013 investigation into the use of banned peptides. “WADA will be watching the Federal Court case with interest,” he said.

Mr Coates said the world body attached great importance to the independence of national anti-doping authorities and the role of government in upholding it. Affiliation is mandatory for any nation bidding for or hosting an international sporting event.

‘‘Should Australia not become WADA compliant, we would not be able to host major international events such as the cricket World Cup and football’s Asian Cup, plus the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast,’’ Mr Coates said.

Former WADA president John Fahey supported Mr Coates, saying: ‘‘The independence of anti-doping organisations is crucial to an effective anti-doping outcome. The system’s integrity is critical. WADA views with concern the AFL investigation and the alleged undue influence by officials on ASADA.’’

Last week’s Federal Court hearing was told how a deputy under-secretary in the Prime Minister’s Department, Richard Eccles, attended joint AFL/ASADA meetings, a key element in the argument of Essendon and coach James Hird that the joint AFL/ASADA investigation was unlawful.

Mr Eccles told one meeting last June, attended by the AFL’s then deputy chief executive, Gillon McLachlan, Essendon’s then president, David Evans, and ASADA’s former chief executive, Aurora Andruska, that Senator Lundy ‘‘needs something’’, including a ‘‘deal with AFL’’ where the club’s ‘‘support staff’’ would be ‘‘sacked’’, ‘‘points off’’ and ‘‘players off’’.

When Ms Andruska eventually resigned earlier this year, Mr Fahey sympathised with her having to stand up to ‘‘bully boys’’, a possible reference to senior AFL executives and Mr Eccles.

Cory Bernardi, who served five years on the board of the Australian Sports Commission and is a former world champion rower, led the inquiry in the Senate when ASADA was seeking enhanced powers to prosecute athletes. ‘‘I am appalled by what has come out in the Federal Court over this, particularly the role of the former government in trying to reach an outcome for the AFL,’’ Senator Bernardi said.

A Senate inquiry would depend on the support of the crossbenches. Labor would not support it because it would presumably target a former minister, while the Greens are at present opposed to most of the government’s agenda.

Glenn Lazarus, a premiership player at three NRL clubs and a Palmer United Party senator, may see some merit in an inquiry which would reveal the machinations behind a deal that favoured AFL players over rugby league players.

NRL chief executive Dave Smith admits that when he learnt of the zero sanctions offered AFL players, after ASADA had earlier tabled an offer of a six-month suspension to NRL players, he flew to Canberra to protest to the then prime minister, Julia Gillard.

44 comments so far

Does this mean no more interviews, vision, and general back slapping captain gal. The prolonged kudos for this cheat has been breathtaking.The greatest forward ever, right up there with Rodney Howe, Ben Johnson, Armstrong. Captain peptide!!, just waiting for the handing in of his test jerseys. Dallas Johnson, Ashley Harrison, nate Myles, Cory parker, and any other qld forward that wasn't a cheat, and deserved test jerseys before captain gal, cheat!

Commenter

out the cheats

Location

up here

Date and time

August 18, 2014, 5:48AM

Haha, this coming from a supporter of the most corrupt entity in Australian sporting history.

I know you lot aren't good with numbers up there but I don't think the Broncos can use that as an excuse for cheating the salary cap for the entirety of their existence.

So why don't you just keep that head in the sand and shout down any NSWelshman that dares to be superior to you Queenslanders (which is most of us, 'down here').

Commenter

QLD bitterness

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 18, 2014, 10:45AM

Ha ha, sad Queenslander! Keep bleating buddy.LOL

Commenter

cl

Date and time

August 18, 2014, 1:56PM

Clearly ASADA has no genuine evidence. Two seasons of gutting the Sharks and trying to send them out of business for nothing. You're kidding me. What a joke.

Commenter

GOV

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 18, 2014, 11:19PM

Rubbish - a one eyed Queenslander rant?

You can't compare the taking of an obscure peptide that wasn't even placed on the WADA banned list until around 2011 with deliberate and sustained use of Steroids, EPO or Blood doping that Ben Johnson or Lance Armstrong were guilty of. The performance enhancing benefit of this peptide is not even clear. No doubt this is why ASADA has now watered down it's threat to only pitiful 1 month bans. I invite you to research more on thymosin beta-4 before making such outlandish comments.

If there are cheats in the NRL I very much doubt the Sharks were at the forefront more than any other team (including your beloved and pure Queenslanders). If you have been following ASADAs case you would know neither the sports scientist administering the supplement nor the players believed they were cheating. If they did break the rules it was neither serious nor deliberate.

Commenter

Jason

Date and time

August 18, 2014, 6:33AM

I think the results are pretty obvious.3 years ago Gallen was playing 80 minutes and making 40+ tackles a game. Now he only plays 40 minutes and has had numerous injuries.Of course I could be making all this up....

Commenter

Scotty

Date and time

August 18, 2014, 10:09AM

Any average person who doubts that these NRL athletes took something and didn't know it should try the following:

1) Start your own bulk muscle building exercise program2) Stay "clean"3) Log how long it takes to build up to the level of an elite NRL player or equivalent.

Draw your own conclusions at the "startling" rate of growth exhibited by many players over the off season....

QED.

Commenter

Mog

Date and time

August 18, 2014, 11:21AM

They "claim" they didn't know. It is the standard defense fo every athlete caught but it is their job to know. They are meant to be paid professionals, players, trainers, coaches and sports scientists alike. Ignorance (if it was ingorance) is no excuse.

Commenter

Jeff

Date and time

August 18, 2014, 12:09PM

Scotty - In Gal's first game in a month on the weekend he played 80 mins and ran for over 200m in a team that got beaten 48-6....not sure how you think his performance has dropped off because he's actually going better now than in 2011.Jeff - What do you want the players to do? Take home any substance they get and run it through their home laboratory? These are footy players in their 20's, I'd assume something a Doctor gave me was ok to take. Next time you're given a prescription from the doctor you better go and analyse it in case it contains any illegal substances that might show up in a random drug test at work.

Commenter

Greg

Date and time

August 18, 2014, 2:57PM

So Cronulla players "may escape" eh?

If this does go ahead, then maybe it could be said that "ASADA has escaped" by being allowed to apply penalties without any positive swabs.

I hope the players stick to their guns and ignore the latest attempt at intimidation by way of leak to media.

And what on earth has John Coates got to do with anything about the NRL? Why is he even commenting?